The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Piperi named Big 12 Men’s Athlete of the Week
02.10.2021 | Track & Field / Cross Country
The reigning NCAA Outdoor shot put champion threw a lifetime-best to break to the UT record last weekend.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Track and Field thrower Tripp Piperi was named the Big 12 Men's Athlete of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday. It is the fourth time Piperi has earned the Big 12's weekly honor, and second occasion this season (Jan. 31, 2018; Feb. 6, 2019; Jan. 27, 2021). He was also named the Men's National Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA for the second time this season earlier this week.
This past weekend at the Charlie Thomas Invitational, Piperi threw the shot put a lifetime-best 21.74m/71-4 to win the event and break Olympic gold medalist and Longhorn Legend Ryan Crouser's five-year-old school record (21.73m/71-3.5 – 2016). His throw was the second-best in NCAA history and also set a meet and facility record. Prior to his record-breaking mark, Piperi launched the orb 21.62m/70-11.25 on his fourth attempt, giving him possession of two of the top seven throws in NCAA history. Last Saturday marked the first time in Piperi's career that he has crossed the 70-foot mark in competition.
The 2019 NCAA Outdoor shot put national champion, Piperi entered this season as a five-time All-American and five-time Big 12 Champion in his signature event. He has earned All-America honors and won the Big 12 title in the shot put in every season he has competed in thus far (Indoor 2018-20; Outdoor 2018-19). That does not include the 2020 Outdoor season, which was canceled due to COVID-19.
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